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Translation. 


OOERESPONDENCE 


EEGARDING 


THE    NEGOTIATIONS 


BETWEEN 


JAPAN  AND  RUSSIA, 


(1903-1904) 


JPresented  to  the  Imperial  Diet,  March,  1904. 


Traiislatii 


CORRESPONDENCE 


REGARDING 


THE    NEGOTIATIONS 


BETWEEN 


JAPAN  AND  RUSSIA. 


(1908-1004) 


Prese7ited  to  the  Imperial   Diet,  March,  1904. 


nOCUMENT^i 
OEPTo       \ 


CORRESPONDENCE 


REGARDING 


THK  NEGOTIATIONS 

BETWEEN 

'JAPAN  AND  RUSSIA. 

No.  I. 

Baron  Koiiiiira  to  Mr.  Kiiri)io. 

Tokio,  July  28th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

THE  Japanese  Government  have  observed  with  close 
attention  the  development  of  affairs  in  Manchuria,  and 
thev  view  with  grave  concern  the  present  situation  there. 
So  long  as  there  were  grounds  for  hope  that  Russia  would 
carry  out  her  engagement  to  China  and  her  assurances  to 
other  Powers  on  the  subject  of  the  evacuation  of  Manchuria, 
the  Japanese  Government  maintained  an  attitude  of  watch- 
ful reserve.  But  the  recent  action  of  Russia  in  formulat- 
ing new  demands  in  Peking  and  in  consolidating  rather 
than  relaxing  her  hold  on  Manchuria  compels  belief  that 
she  has  abandoned  the  intention  of  retiring  from  Man- 
churia, while  her  increased  activity  along  the  Corean 
frontier   is  such  as  to  raise  doubts  regarding  the  limits  of 


3G5850 


her  ambition.      TIk-  unrcstraiiifd  jx-nuancnt  occupation  of 
Manchnrra   bv  Russia  would   rreaU-   a  condition  of   thino;s 
prejudicial  i.o  llu-  Sfcuril>-  and  interest  of  Japan.      Sucli  oc- 
cupation would  be  destructive  of  the  principle  of  equal  op- 
portunity  aind  in  impairment  of  the  territorial  inte^^nty  of 
China.     ,But,  what  is  of  still  more  serious  moment   to  the 
Japanese  (Tovernment,   Russia  stationed   on    the   flank   of 
Corea  would  be  a  con.stant  menace  to  the  separate  existence 
of  that  l{m]:»ire,  and  in  any  event  it  would  make  Russia  the 
dominant  power  in  Corea.     Corea  is  an  important  outpost 
in   Japan's   line   of   defence,  and  Japan  consequently  con- 
siders  the   independence  of  Corea  absolutely  essential   to 
her  own   repose  and   .safet\-.     Japan   po.ssesses  paramount 
political  as  well  as  commercial  and  industrial  interests  and 
influence  in  Corea,  which,  having  regard   to  her  own  se- 
curity, she  cannot  consent  to  surrender  to,  or  share  with, 
any  other  Power.     The  Japanese  Government  have  given 
the  matter  their   most  serious  consideration  and    have  re- 
solved to  approach  the  Ru.ssian  (rovernment  in  a  spirit  of 
conciliation  and  frankness  with  a  view  to  the  conclusion 
of  an  understanding  designed   to  compose  questions  which 
are  at  this  time  the  cause  of  just  and  natural  anxiety  ;  and 
in  the  estimation  of  the  Japanese  Cjovernment,  the  moment 
is  opportune   for   making    the  attempt   to  bring  about  the 
desired  adjustment. 

The  Japanese  ( lovernnicnt,  rejiosing  confidence  in  \our 
judgment  and  discretion,  have  decided  to  place  these  deli- 
cate negotiations  in  your  hands.  It  is  the  wish  of  the 
Japane.se  (Government   to  place   their  pre.sent   invitation  to 


the  Russian  Government  entirely  on  an  official  footing,  and 
you  are  accordingly  instructed  to  open  the  question  by 
presenting  to  Count  Lamsdorff  a  Note  Verbale  to  the  fol- 
lowing effect : 

"The    Imperial     Japanese    (Tovernment,    believing 
that    the    Imperial    Russian    Government    share   with 
them  the  desire   to  remove  from   the  relations  of  the 
two  Kmpires  e\'ery  cause  of  future  misunderstanding, 
would    be  glad    to  enter   with  the    Imperial    Russian 
Government    upon   examination    of   the   condition    of 
affairs  in  the  Extreme  East  wdiere  their  interests  meet, 
with  a  view  to  a  definition  of  their  respective  special 
interests  in  those  regions.     If,  as  is  confidenth'  hoped, 
this  suggestion  meets  approval   in  principle,  the  Im- 
perial Japanese  Government  will  be  prepared  to  pre- 
sent to  the  Imperial  Russian  (TOvernment  their  views 
as   to  the  nature  and  scope  of   the   proposed    under- 
standing." 
In  presenting   the  foregoing   note  to  Count   LamsdorfT, 
you  will  be  careful  to  make  him  understand  that  our  pur- 
poses are  entirely  friendly,  but  that  we  attach  gieat  impor- 
tance to  the  subject.     You  will  present  the  note  to  Count 
Eamsdorff  as  .soon  as  possible,  and  keep  me  fully  informed 
regarding  the  .steps  taken  by  you  under   this  instruction  ; 
and  immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  an  affirmative  reply 
from  the  Russian  Government,  the   substance  of   our  pro- 
po.sals  will  be  telegraphed  to  you. 


No.  2. 
Mr.  A'uriiio  lo  Jinron  Konnirn. 

Pctcrsburo^,  July  31st,  1903. 

Received,  August  2ik1,    " 
(Telegram.) 

YOUR  Kxcellency's  telegram  of  the  28th  instant  was 
duly  received.  In  accordance  with  the  instructions  con- 
tained therein,  I  saw  Count  Lamsdorff  to-day  and,  before 
handing  to  His  Excellency  the  Note  Verbale,  I  stated  sub- 
stantially as  follows  : 

The  condition  of  affairs  in  the  Far  East  is  becom- 
ing more  and  more  complicated,  and  unless  something 
be  done  at  present  with  the  view  of  removing  all  causes 
of  misunderstanding  between  Japan  and  Russia,  the  re- 
lations of  the  two  countries  will  increase  in  difficulty, 
entailing  nothing  but  disadvantages  to  both  countries. 
Under  the  circumstances,  the  Imperial   Government, 
fully  animated   by  a  spirit  of   frankness  and  concilia- 
tion, have  decided  to  approach  the  Imperial  Russian 
(lOvernment  with  a  view  to  arrive   at  an   understand- 
ing. 
I  then  handed  to   him    the  Note  Verbale,  saying  that   I 
was  so   instructed.     After  he  had  seen   it,  I  expressed  my 
ardent  hope  that  the  Ru.ssian  (iovcrnment  would  share  the 
above  view  in  the  sanie  spirit.     Count  Lamsdorff  said  that 
he  was  perfectly  satisfied  with   the   decision  of   the  Japan- 


—  7 


ese  Government,  for,  as  he  had  said  to  me  very  often,  an 
understanding  between  the  two  countries  is  not  only  de- 
sirable, but  is  the  best  policy  ;  should  Russia  and  Japan 
enter  into  full  understanding,  no  one  would  in  future  at- 
tempt to  sow  the  seeds  of  discord  between  the  two  coun- 
tries. So  far  as  he  was  concerned,  he  was,  he  said,  in 
perfect  accord  with  the  view  of  the  Japanese  Government  ; 
but  he  wished  to  see  the  Emperor  on  the  subject  before  a 
definite  answer  was  given.  He  expects  Lo  see  the  Em- 
peror next  Tuesday,  and  promised  to  give  me  an  answer 
on  the  following  day.  He  added  that  the  Emperor  would 
surely  approve  the  matter. 


No.  3. 

Baron  KoDntra  to  Mr.  I\iiri)io. 

Tokio,  August  3rd,  1903. 
(Telegram.  I 

IN  reference  to  my  telegram  of  the  28th  July,  the  Japa- 
nese Government,  after  giving  most  serious  consideration 
to  the  condit'on  of  affairs  in  those  centres  where  the  in- 
terests of  the  two  Powers  meet,  have  decided  to  propose 
the  following  as  the  basis  of  an  understanding  between 
Japan  and  Russia. 

"  I.  Mutual  engagement  to  respect  the  indepen- 
dence and  territorial  integrity  of  the  Chinese  and 
Corean    Empires   and    to   maintain    the   principle    of 


equal   opportunity  for  the  commerce  and   indnstrx  of 
all  nations  in  those  countries. 

"  2.  Reciprocal  recognition  of  Japan's  prej^onderat- 
ing  interests  in  Corea  and  Russia's  special  interests  in 
railway  enter])rises  in  Manchuria,  and  of  the  right  of 
japan  to  take  in  Corea  and  of  Russia  to  take  in  M:u)- 
churia  such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  for  the 
protection  of  their  respective  interests  as  above  de- 
fined, subject,  however,  to  the  provisions  of  Article  I 
of  this  Agreement. 

"3.  Reciprocal  undertaking  on  the  part  of  Russia 
and  Japan  not  to  impede  development  of  those  indu.s- 
trial  and  commercial  activities  respectively  of  Japan 
in  Corea  and  of  Russia  in  ]\Ianchuria,  which  are  not 
inconsistent  with  the  stipulations  of  Article  I  of  this 
Agreement. 

"  Additional  engagement  on  the  part  of  Russia  not 
to  impede  the  eventual  extension  of  the  Corean  rail- 
way into  southern  Manchuria  so  as  to  connect  with 
the.  East  China  and  Shan-hai-kwan-Newchwang  lines. 
"4.  Reciprocal  engagement  that  in  case  it  is  found 
necessary  to  send  troops  by  Japan  to  Corea,  or  by 
Russia  to  Manchuria,  for  the  purpose  either  of  pro- 
tecting the  interests  mentioned  in  Article  II  of  this 
Agreement,  or  of  suppressing  insurrection  or  disorder 
calculated  to  create  international  complications,  the 
troops  so  sent  are  in  no  case  to  exceed  the  actual 
number  required  and  are  to  be  forthwith  recalled  as 
soon  as  their  missions  are  accomplished. 


—  9  — 

''  5-  Recognition  on  the  part  of  Russia  of  the  ex- 
clusive right  of  Japan  to  give  advice  and  assistance  in 
the  interest  of  reform  and  good  government  in  Corea, 
inchiding  necessary  military  assistance. 

"  6.  This  Agreement  to  supplant  all  previous  ar- 
rangements between  Japan  and  Russia  respecting 
Corea." 
In  handing  the  foregoing  project  to  Count  Lamsdorff, 
you  will  say  that  it  is  presented  for  the  consideration  of  the 
Russian  Government  in  the  firm  belief  that  it  may  be 
found  to  serve  as  a  basis  upon  which  to  construct  satisfac- 
tory arrangement  between  the  two  Governments,  and  \ou 
will  assure  Count  Lamsdorff  that  any  amendment  or  sug- 
gestion he  may  find  it  necessary  to  offer  will  receive  the 
immediate  and  friendly  consideration  of  the  Japanese  Gov- 
ernment. It  will  not  be  necessary  for  you  to  say  much  in 
elucidation  of  the  separate  items  of  the  project  as  they  are 
very  largely  self-explanatory  ;  but  you  might  point  out 
that  the  project  taken  as  a  whole  will  be  found  to  be  but 
little  more  than  the  logical  and  essential  development  and 
extension  of  the  principles  already  recognized  by  the  two 
Governments,  or  of  conditions  embodied  in  the  engage- 
ments which  the  project  is  designed  to  supplant. 

The  foregoing  instruction  is  sent  to  you  in  anticipation 
that  the  answer  to  the  Note  Verbale  jDresented  by  you  will 
be  favourable  ;  but  you  will  not  act  on  that  instruction  until 
you  receive  further  instructions,  which  will  be  given  after 
you  have  communicated  to  me  the  answer  to  the  Note 
Verbale. 


No.  .,. 

Mr.  k'/iiino  to  lUuiui  Kotiiura. 

Petersbiirof,  Auj^ust  5tli,  1903. 
Received,  "       6th,      " 

(Telegram.) 

COUNT  Lainsdorfl  says  he  is  authorized  by  the  Kni- 
peror  to  open  ncy;otiatioiis  with  me  on  tlie  subject  of  the 
Note  Wrbale. 


No.  5. 

Huron  k'omura  to  Mr.  Kuriuo. 

Tokio,  August  6t]i,  1903. 
(Telegram,  i 

IN  reference  to  your  telegrams  dated  the  31st  ultimo  and 
5th  instant,  you  will  state  to  Count  Lainsdorff  that  the 
Imperial  Government  fully  appreciate  the  friendly  spirit 
with  which  the  Russian  (io\ernment  received  the  proposal 
of  the  Japanese  (lOvernment  to  enter  upon  negotiations 
with  regard  to  an  understanding  between  the  two  coun- 
tries, and  then  present  at  once  the  project  to  the  Russian 
(Government  in  accordance  with  instructions  contained  in 
my  telegram  of  the  3d  instant. 


No.  6. 
Mr.  Kiirino  to  Baron  Komura. 

Petersburg,  August  12th,  1903. 

Received,         "  14th,      " 

(Telegram.) 

COUNT  Lamsdorff,  being  now  very  much  occupied, 
could  not  receive  me  until  to-day,  when  I  handed  to  His 
Excellency  the  proposed  project  in  English  in  accordance 
with  your  instructions.  I  added  that  the  longer  the  con- 
clusion of  an  accord  is  postponed  the  more  difficult  will  it 
become,  as  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  Far  East  is  now 
getting  more  and  more  complicated.  I  asked  him  to  hasten 
the  matter  as  much  as  possible.  He  said  he  would  ex- 
amine the  project  with  care. 


No.  7. 
Mr.  I\nrino  to  Baron  Koiimra. 

Petersburg,  August  24th,  1903. 

Received,  "  25th,     " 

(Telegram.) 

COUNT  Lamsdorff  received  me  yesterday  by  special 
arrangement,  and  I  asked  his  views,  as  well  as  the  attitude 
of  the  Russian  Government  regarding  our  proposals,  add- 
ing that  the  Japanese  Government   are   now   impatiently 


—  12  — 

waiting  for  a  reply.  He  said  that  he  had  studied  the  pro- 
ject serionsl\',  but  that  the  ICniperor  having  been  absent 
over  a  week  on  acconnt  of  the  nian(L'ii\-res,  he  liad  ])een 
unable  to  take  any  steps  in  the  matter;  but  he  asked  my 
opinion  about  transferring  the  negotiations  to  Tokio,  as 
there  were  ukuu'  details  whieh  would  have  to  be  referred 
to  Admiral  Alexieff.  I  said  to  him  that  the  Japanese  Ciov- 
ernment  having  confided  the  matter  to  me,  I  should  prefer 
to  proceed  with  it,  but  that  I  was  willing  to  communicate 
his  opinion  to  you. 

He  stated  that  he  has  already  sent  copy  of  our  project  to 
Port  Arthur  with  the  view  of  obtaining  the  opinion  of 
Admiral  Alexieff.  After  such  conversation,  he  said  the 
(piestion  of  Japanese  railway  enterprise  in  Manchuria  would 
be  difficult,  l)ut  upon  all  other  points  perhaps  the  Russian 
(iovernment  would  be  able  to  come  to  an  understanding. 
I  said  that  in  order  to  arrive  at  a  satisfactory  understand- 
ing, mutual  concessions  as  well  as  a  si)irit  of  conciliation 
are  necessary  and  that  the  Japanese  (Government  would  be 
prepared  to  give  favouralde  consideration  if  any  sugges- 
tions should  be  made  bv  Count  Lamsdorff. 


No.  8. 

Bnron  Komiira  to  Afr.  Kitriiw. 

Tokio,  August  26th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

IX  reference  to  your  telegram  of  the  24th  instant,  you 
will  say  to  Count  Uamsdorff  that  the  Japanese  C.ovt-rnment 


13 


would  prefer  to  continue  negotiations  in  St.  Petersburg, 
believino-  that  by  so  doing,  the  work  wnll  be  greatly  facili- 
tated. You  can  add  that  there  are  no  details  to  be  con- 
sidered in  connection  with  pending  negotiations,  which 
require  local  knowledge,  and  that  the  Japanese  (rovern- 
ment,  having  placed  the  negotiation  in  your  hand,  would 
dislike  to  make  any  change.  You  will  say  to  Count 
Lamsdorff  that  the  Japanese  Government  are  anxiously 
awaiting  a  definite  reply  from  his  Government  to  their 
proposals,  and  you  will  continue  to  use  every  endeavour  to 
obtain  from  him  such  a  reply  as  soon  as  possible. 


No.  9. 

J/r.  Kurino  to  Baron  K'oiniira. 

Petersburg,  August  27th,  1903. 
Received,  ''        28th,     " 

(Telegram.) 

I  saw  Count  Lamsdorff  to-day  on  the  subject  of  your 
telegram  dated  the  26th  instant.  He  said  he  had  audi- 
ence of  the  Emperor  last  Tuesday,  and  was  told  that  His 
Majesty  desires  very  much  the  early  conclusion  of  an  c?i- 
tenle  satisfactory  for  both  countries,  and  expressed  his 
wish  to  conduct  the  negotiations  at  Tokio  so  as  to  expe- 
dite the  matter.  Then  Count  Ivamsdorff  added  that  the 
Kmperor  is  to  leave  here  for  the  country  next  ]\Iondav, 
and  then  for  foreign  countries  for  some  time,  and  at  the 


—  14   - 

same  time  the  Ministers  concerned  \s()uld  be  absent  from 
St.  Petersburo.  Consequently,  neo;otiations  in  Tokio 
would  be  much  the  easier  and  quicker  way  of  concluding 
the  matter.  I  said,  referring  to  my  conversation  with 
Count  Lanisdorff  of  the  23rd  instant,  that  the  proposed 
undeistanding  involved  mostly  questions  of  principles  and 
politics  rather  than  details,  and  consequently  that  the 
continuation  of  negotiations  at  St.  Petersburg  would  be 
proper  and  at  the  same  time  the  quickest  way  to  arrive  at 
a  .satisfactory  understanding.  He  repeated  what  he  had 
just  said  and  insisted  upon  his  proposition. 

Under  the  circumstances,  I  think  it  hardly  po.ssible  to 
change  the  course  now  proposed  by  Count  Lamsdorff  under 
authority  of  the  P^mperor.  I  also  think  that  negotiations 
at  Tokio  would  entail  many  disadvantageous  consequences; 
and  definite  instruction  for  the  further  course  is  awaited. 


No.  10. 
Baron  Komiira  lo  Mr.  Kiiiiuo. 

Tokio,  August  29th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  telegram  of  the  27th  instant,  you 
will  say  to  Count  Lamsdorff  that  the  Japanese  (Government 
still  think  that  negotiation  will  be  facilitated  if  continued 
in  St.  Petersburg  since  the  negotiations  relate  to  principles 
and  not  details;  and  vou  will  add  that  he  and  vou  havino- 


15 


been  dulv  authori/<ed  in  the  matter  and  the  proposals  of 
Japan  having  been  presented  to  him,  the  Japanese  (jOv- 
ernment  had  supposed  that  the  seat  of  negotiation  had  been 
agreed  to.  Von  will  accordingly  nrge  upon  Count  Lams- 
dorff  the  desire  of  Japanese  Government  to  continue  the 
negotiations  in  St.  Petersburg,  and  express  a  hope  that  his 
Government  will  reconsider  the  question.  You  will  also 
say  that  the  Japanese  Government  presume  they  are  justi- 
fied in  assuming  from  the  proposal  to  transfer  negotiations 
to  Tokio,  that  our  proposals  are  in  principle  acceptable  to 
the  Russian  Government  as  the  basis  of  negotiations. 


No.  II. 

Mr.  h'uriNo  to  Baron  Koinitra. 

Petersburg,  August  31st,  1903. 
Received,  September  and,   " 
(Telegram.) 

I  .saw  Count  Lamsdorff  to-day  and  explained  fully  the 
purport  of  your  telegram  of  the  29th  instant.  The  sub- 
stance of  his  reply  is  as  follows  : 

He  said  that  the  negotiations  relate  to  principles,  but 
principles  must  be  decided  upon  examination  of  local  and 
practical  questions.  Accordingly  the  Russian  ( jovernment 
desired  to  transfer  the  discussions  to  Tokio  on  account  of 
the  necessity  of  consultation  with  Admiral  Alexieff,  and 
also  to  manifest  a  sense  of  deference  to  Japan  as  the  pro- 


—  iG  — 

posal  had  been  nuule  by  her,  and  Ihal  the  acceptance  of 
the  proposal  at  vSt.  PetersbnrjT;-  does  not  signify  that  the 
seat  of  negotiations  should  be  at  the  same  place.  He 
added  that  tlie  proposal  to  transfer  the  negotiations  to 
Tokio  does  not  neccs.sarily  mean  that  our  proposals  are 
acceptable  to  the  Russian  (Tovernmcnt,  as  bases  for  nego- 
tiations could  not  be  determined  without  reference  to  prac- 
tical questions  concerning  which  Baron  Rosen  and  Admiral 
Alexieff  have  much  better  knowledge  than  he  himself. 

I  urged  as  my  opinion  that  this  being  the  most  important 
question  of  high  politics  between  our  two  countries,  per- 
haps the  Kmperor  had  much  to  decide,  and  con.sequently 
it  would  be  very  convenient  if  the  negotiations  were  con- 
ducted at  St.  Petersburg,  and  wished  his  serious  reconsid- 
eration of  the  question  of  transfer  as  such  reconsideration  is 
much  desired  by  the  Japanese  Government.  I  objected 
also  to  the  suggestion  of  transfer  on  the  ground  that  the 
question  relates  to  principles  as  well  as  to  the  direction  of 
international  political  concerns  which  may  not  be  within 
the  powers  conferred  upon  Admiral  Alexieff.  If  I  remem- 
ber rightly,  I  said,  I  understand  that  his  authority  is  lim- 
ited to  mere  questions  of  local  administration.  He  said 
that  on  this  question  Admiral  Alexieff  w^ould  only  be  con- 
sulted and  decide  nothing,  and  added  that  he.  Count  Lam.s- 
dorff,  is  also  desirous  to  settle  the  question  as  quickly  as 
possible,  and  that  is  the  reason  why  he  suggested  the  trans- 
fer. The  Russian  Counter-Proposals  are  being  prepared  by 
persons  having  local  knowledge,  con.seqnently  the  transfer 
of    negotiations    to    Tokio    would     expedite     the     matter. 


Should  the  negotiations  be  conducted  at  St.  Petersburg, 
he  would  be  obliged  to  attend  to  the  matter  personally 
with  nie;  but  this  autumn  he  has  to  be  long  absent  from 
the  city  on  account  of  his  attendance  upon  the  P^m- 
peror.  In  case  of  his  journey  to  Vienna  and  Rome,  he 
may  also  visit  a  certain  foreign  country  and  would  be 
liable  to  be  frequently  interrupted  in  the  negotiations. 
But  in  case  of  negotiations  at  Tokio,  he  could  direct  them 
by  telegraph,  and  telegrams  from  Tokio  could  always  fol- 
low him  wherever  he  might  happen  to  be ;  besides,  he 
said,  as  we  know  very  well,  the  Russian  way  of  conducting 
business  here  is  not  very  expeditious.  At  the  conclusion, 
he  said  he  is  to  have  audience  of  the  Emperor  to-day,  and 
will  explain  to  him  the  reasons  why  an  early  understand- 
ing between  the  two  countries  is  desirable  as  mentioned  by 
me  ;  and  he  promised  to  repeat  to  His  Majesty  the  special 
desire  of  the  Japanese  Government  to  conduct  the  negotia- 
tions at  St.  Petersburg ;  but  he  added  that  no  change  of 
view  on  the  subject  could  be  expected. 


No.  12. 

Baron  Komnra  to  Mr.  Kuriuo. 

Tokio,  vSeptember  2nd,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

IN   reference  to  your  telegram  of   the  31st  ultimo,  you 
will  say  to   Count   Lamsdorff   that   it  being  the    acknow- 


—  iS  — 

le(l<>;e(l  desire  of  both  Powers  to  arrive  at  an  nn(lerstandin<^ 
as  soon  as  j)()ssil)le,  the  jaj^anese  (iovernnient  fear  tliat  dis- 
ciissions  would  be  greatly  i)rotracted  if  the  negotiations 
were  now  to  be  transferred  to  Tokio  without  some  accepted 
basis  for  negotiations  ;  and  yon  will  add  that  the  Ja])anese 
Government,  having  presented  their  proposals  in  concrete 
form  to  the  Russian  Government,  believe  that  negotia- 
tions, wherever  conducted,  wouki  be  greatly  facilitated  if 
the  Russian  (Tovernment  were  primarily  to  announce 
whether  such  proposals  can  in  principle  be  accepted  as  the 
basis  for  negotiations.  The  Jajjanese  (Government  do  not 
understand  that  the  acceptance  of  those  proposals  as  such 
basis  would  exclude  amendments  that  uiigiit  be  regarded 
as  necessarv.  On  the  contrary,  such  acceptance  would 
merely  fix  a  definite  point  of  departure  which  is  desirable 
in  all  negotiations  and  very  important  in  the  present  case. 
You  will  use  every  endeavour  to  secure  the  desired  an- 
nouncement from  the  Russian  Governuient. 


Xo.  13. 
Mj-.  Kiiriito  to  Baron  Koiinii  a. 

St.  Petersburg,  September  5th,  i(/)3. 

Received,  "  6th,      " 

(Telegram.) 

I  .saw   CcMint    Lamsdorff   yesterday.      With   the  view  of 
])re\-enting  an\-  misundfrstanding   about    the  sense   of  tiie 


—  19  — 

instruction  contained  in  your  telegram  of  the  2nd  instant, 
and  also  with  the  view  of  impressing  upon  the  Russian 
Government  the  feeling  of  importance  placed  by  the 
Japanese  (iovernment  on  the  matter,  I  prepared  a  Note 
Verbale  which  I  handed  to  him.  We  then  had  a  rather 
prolonged  discussion  on  the  question.  The  substance  of 
his  remarks  is  as  follows  : — 

According  to  his  experience  of  40  years  in  the  Foreign 
Office,  negotiations  of  an  international  character  had 
always  been  conducted  on  the  proposals  of  one  Power 
together  with  the  reply  of  the  other,  and  it  was  not  usual 
to  accept  the  proposition  of  one  Power  as  the  sole  basis  of 
negotiations.  Raron  Rosen  had  already  been  commanded 
by  the  Emperor  to  study  seriously  the  proposition  of  the 
Japanese  (iovernment,  and  at  the  same  time  to  prepare  and 
elaborate  Counter-Proposals  in  consultation  with  Admiral 
Alexieff,  and,  if  the  Japanese  Government  were  willing  to 
enter  into  negotiation,  to  commence  immediately  X\\e  poitr- 
parlers  adopting  the  propositions  of  the  Japanese  Govern- 
ment and  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  as  the  basis  of 
negotiations.  I  said  during  the  discussion  that  if  the 
Russian  Government  were  really  animated  by  a  desire  to 
enter  into  a  satisfactory  arrangement  with  Japan,  I  should 
deem  it  highly  necessary  that  the  Ru.ssian  Government 
should  instruct  their  negotiators  to  adopt  as  the  basis  the 
Japanese  proposals,  or  at  least  the  essential  principles 
thereof,  so  as  to  facilitate  the  attainment  of  the  object  of 
the  negotiation,  for  I  am  inclined  to  doubt  if  Admiral 
Alexieff  is  disposed   to  enter  into  negotiations  with  Japan 


in  a  s])irit  of  concilialion,  wliicli  is  (A  ])riine  necessity  in 
order  to  arrive  at  a  satisfactory  understandinj^.  He  said 
that  when  he  received  onr  project  there  were  only  two 
conrses  open  for  Rnssia  to  take,  eitlier  to  reject  onr  pro- 
posals or  to  enter  into  nei>otiations  on  them.  The  Kns- 
sian  (Tovernment  have  adopted  the  latter  conrse  ;  this  does 
not,  however,  signify  acceptance  of  our  project  in  its  en- 
tirety or  in  principle  ;  bnt  having  agreed  to  the  proposition 
to  enter  into  an  entente^  they  have  decided  to  examine  the 
propositions  and  to  prepare  Counter-Proposals  so  that  the 
two  might  be  used  as  the  basis  of  negotiations.  Besides  he 
said  that  in  our  project  there  are  certain  clauses  which 
could  not  be  reconciled  with  Russian  interests,  and  others 
which  ref|uire  modifications  ;  and  he  could  not  say  that 
the  Russian  (jovernment  accepted  our  proposals  even  in 
principle  as  basis,  but  only  in  conjunction  with  their 
Counter-Proposals. 

Having  exhausted  every  effort  for  the  attainment  of  the 
desire  of  the  Japanese  (government,  I  am  now  fully  con- 
vinced that  it  will  not  be  possible  to  change  the  course 
proposed  by  Count  Lamsdorff ;  and  I  think  that  there  is 
no  other  way  for  Japan  but  to  agree  to  his  suggestion. 
Count  Lamsdorff  is  to  leave  here  on  the  loth  instant  for 
Darmstadt  to  attend  the  P'mperor  of  Russia. 


No.  14. 

Baron  Kornura  to  Mr.  Kurino. 

Tokio,  September  9th,  1903. 
^Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  telegram  of  the  5tli  instant,  you 
are  hereby  instructed  to  inform  Count  Lamsdorff  that  the 
Japanese  Government  consent  to  transfer  negotiations  to 
Tokio,  and  you  will  add  that  the  Japanese  Government 
trust  that  instructions  to  the  Russian  Minister  at  Tokio 
are  of  such  a  character  as  to  enable  him  to  present  the 
Russian  Counter-Proposals  without  delay  and  to  proceed 
immediatelv  with  the  nejrotiations. 


No.  15. 

Mr.  Kuri)in  io  Baro)i  Kounira. 

Petersburg,  September  9th,  1903. 
Received,  "  10th,     " 

(Telegram.) 

I  saw  Count  Lamsdorff  to-day.  He  said  Baron  Rosen 
and  iVdmiral  Alexieff  have  already  been  instructed  by 
telegraph,  by  order  of  the  Emperor,  to  prepare  the 
Counter-Proposals  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  to  commence 
negotiations  at  the  earliest  .date,  and  he  does  not  think  it 
necessary  to  repeat  the  same  instruction. 


No.  1 6. 

Baron  Koniura  to  Mr.  Kuriiio. 

Tokio,  vSe])tcniber  24th,  1903. 
(Telegram. ) 

BAR()N  Rosen  left  Tokio  on  the  22ik1  instant  for  Port 
Arthnr.  Previonsly  to  his  departnre,  he  called  on  me  and 
told  me  that  he  had  been  instructed  under  Imperial  order 
some  time  ago  to  hold  himself  ready  to  start  at  once  for 
Port  Arthur,  whenever  necessity  might  arise  to  do  so,  in 
order  to  expedite  the  preparation  of  the  Russian  Counter- 
Proposals  between  Admiral  Alexieff  and  himself,  and 
that  he  had  just  received  from  the  Admiral  a  request  to 
repair  to  Port  Arthur  for  personal  consultation  on  the 
subject.  He  added  that  he  expected  to  come  back  within 
about  eleven  davs. 


No.  17. 

Baron  Komiira  to  Mr.  Kiiriiio. 

Tokio,  October  5th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

BARON  Rosen  came  back  to  Tokio  on  the  3rd  instant. 
He  called  on  me  on  the  same  day  and  handed  to  me  the 
following  as  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals,  which,  he 
said,  was  sanctioned  by  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  upon  joint 
presentation  by  Admiral  Alexieff  and  himself: — 


1.  Mutual  eng-ao^enient  to  respect  the  independence 
and  territorial  integrity  of  the  Corean  Empire. 

2.  Recognition  by  Russia  of  Japan's  preponderating 
interests  in  Corea  and  of  the  right  of  Japan  to  give 
advice  and  assistance  to  Corea  tending  to  improve  the 
civil  administration  of  the  Empire  without  infringing 
the  stipulations  of  Article  I. 

3.  Engagement  on  the  part  of  Russia  not  to  impede 
the  commercial  and  industrial  undertakings  of  Japan 
in  Corea,  nor  to  oppose  any  measures  taken  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  them  so  long  as  such  measures 
do  not  infringe  the  stipulations  of  Article  I. 

4.  Recognition  of  the  right  of  Japan  to  send  for  the 
same  purpose  troops  to  Corea,  with  the  knowledge  of 
Russia,  but  their  number  not  to  exceed  that  actually 
required,  and  with  the  engagement  on  the  part  of 
Japan  to  recall  such  troops  as  soon  as  their  mission  is 
accomplished. 

5.  Mutual  engagement  not  to  use  any  part  of  the 
territory  of  Corea  for  strategical  purposes  nor  to  under- 
take on  the  coasts  of  Corea  any  military  works  capa- 
ble of  menacing  the  freedom  of  navigation  in  the 
Straits  of  Corea. 

6.  Mutual  engagement  to  consider  that  part  of  the 
territory  of  Corea  lying  to  the  north  of  the  39th  par- 
allel as  a  neutral  zone  into  which  neither  of  the  Con- 
tracting Parties  shall  introduce  troops. 

7.  Recognition  by  Japan  of  Manchuria  and  its  lit- 
toral as  in  all  respects  outside  her  sphere  of  interest. 


24 


8.   This  agreement  to  supplant  all   ])revious  Aj^ree- 
nients  between  Russia  and  Japan  resj)ectino;  Corea. 


No.  1 8. 

Baron  Koniura  to  Mr.  Kuriuo. 

Tokio,  October  8th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  my  telegram  of  the  5th  instant,  I  have 
begun  discussion  with  the  Russian  Minister  to  Japan  tak- 
ing our  proposals  and  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  as 
the  basis  and  with  a  view  to  .secure,  if  possible,  the  recog- 
nition by  Russia  of  the  fundamental  principles  laid  down 
in  our  proposals. 


No.  19. 

Baron  Koniura  to  Mr.  Kiirino. 

Tokio.  October  161I1,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  my  telegram  of  the  Sth  instant,  negotia- 
tions are  now  going  on  between  Baron  Rosen  and  myself 
regarding  the  following  proposals,  which  I  had  presented 
as  amendment  to  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  : — 

Article  II.   Insertthephra.se  "including  military  a.ssist- 


—  25  — 

ance "  between  "assistance"  and  "to  Corea."  Chano^e 
the  word  "  civil  "  into  "  internal." 

Article  III.  Insert  the  phrase  "  the  development  of  "  be- 
tween "impede"  and  "the  commercial."  "  Undertak- 
ings"  to  be  changed  into  "  activities,"  and  "taken"  into 
"to  be  taken  "  and  "them  "  into  "those  interests." 

Article  IV.   Recognition  of  the  right  of  Japan  to  send 

troops  to  Corea  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  the  preceding 

Article   or  for   the  purpose  of  suppressing  insurrection  or 

disorder  calculated  to  create  international  complications. 

Article  VI.   Mutual  engagement   to  establish  a  neutral 

zone  on  the  Corea-AIanchuria  frontier  extending 

kilometres  on  each  side,  into  which  neutral  zone  neither 
of  the  Contracting  Parties  shall  introduce  troops  without 
the  consent  of  the  other. 

Article  VII.  To  be  struck  out  and  replaced  by  the  fol- 
lowing three  Articles  : — 

\'II.  Engagement  on  the  part  of  Russia  to  respect 
China's  sovereignty  and  territorial  integrity  in  Man- 
churia, and  not  to  interfere  with  Japan's  commercial 
freedom  in  ]\Ianchuria. 

VIII.  Recognition  by  Japan  of  Russia's  special  in- 
terests in  Manchuria  and  of  the  right  of  Russia  to  take 
such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  protection 
of  those  interests  so  long  as  such  measures  do  not  in- 
fringe the  stipulations  of  the  preceding  Article. 

IX.  ^lutual  engagement  not  to  impede  the  connec- 
tion of  the  Corean  railway  and  the  East  China  railway 


—  26  — 

when   those   railways   shall    have  been  eventually  ex- 
tended to  the  Yalu. 
Article  VIII   of    the    Russian   Counter-Proposals    to    be 
numbered  Article  X. 


No.  20. 

Baron  Komura  lo  Mr.  Knriiio. 

Tokio,  October  22nd,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

THE  result  of  discussions  between  liaron  Rosen  and 
myself  on  our  amendments  to  the  Russian  Counter-Pro- 
posals is  as  follows  : — 

Amendments  to  Articles  II  and  VI  accepted  ad  rcfer- 
etidiim.,  Article  III  accepted,  and  Article  IV  reserved  for 
further  discussion.  It  is  in  Article  VII  of  our  amendment 
to  Article  VII  of  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  that  no 
agreement  could  be  reached,  each  insisting  on  the  impossi- 
bility of  accepting  the  other's  proposition.  The  conten- 
tion of  the  Russian  Minister  is  : — ist,  that  the  Russian 
Article  VII  is  the  only  compensation  to  Russia  for  the 
concessions  to  be  made  'by  her  in  respect  of  Corea  ;  and 
2nd,  that  admission  of  the  Japanese  amendments  on  this 
point  would  be  contrar\-  to  the  principle  alwa}\s  insisted 
on  by  Russia  that  the  question  concerning  Manchuria  is 
one  exclusively  for  Russia  and  China,  admitting  of  no 
interference  on  the  part  of  any  third  Power. 


Our  contention  is  : — ist,  that  Japan  does  not  ask  for  any 
concession  from  Russia  with  respect  to  Manchuria,  her 
proposal  being  simply  to  have  confirmed  in  the  Agreement 
the  principle  which  has  been  voluntarily  and  repeatedly 
declared  by  Russia  ;  and  2nd,  that  Japan  possesses  in 
Manchuria  her  treaty  rights  and  commercial  interests,  and 
she  must  obtain  from  Russia  a  guarantee  for  the  security 
of  those  rights  and  interests  as  well  as  of  the  independence 
of  Corea  which  would  be  constantly  menaced  by  Russia's 
definitive  occupation  of  Manchuria. 


No.  21. 

Baron  Koninra  to  Mr.  Kitrino. 

Tokio,  October  29th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  my  telegram  of  the  22nd  instant,  as  the 
result  of  further  discussions,  the  amendment  on  Article 
IV  was  finally  accepted  ad  referendum.  Regarding  Article 
VI,  my  proposal  of  fixing  the  extent  of  the  neutral  zone  at 
50  kilometres  on  each  side  of  the  frontier  was  accepted  ad 
referendum.  As  to  Article  \^II,  no  agreement  could  yet 
be  reached. 


—  28  — 

No.   22. 

Ihtroii  Konnoa  /o  Mr.  Kiiriiin. 

Tokio,  October  30th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

I  presented  to  Raron  Rosen  on  the  30tli  instant  the  fol- 
lowing as  definite  amendments  of  the  Imperial  Oov^ern- 
ment  to  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  : — 

1.  ^Mutual  engagement  to  respect  the  independence 
and  territorial  integrity  of  the  Chinese  and  Corean 
P^mpires. 

2.  Recognition  by  Russia  of  Japan's  preponderating 
interests  in  Corea  and  of  the  right  of  Japan  to  give  to 
Corea  advice  and  assistance,  including  military  assist- 
ance, tending  to  improve  the  administration  of  the 
Corean  Empire. 

3.  Engagement  on  the  part  of  Russia  not  to  impede 
the  development  of  the  commercial  and  industrial 
activities  of  Japan  in  Corea,  nor  to  oppose  any 
measures  taken  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  those 
interests. 

4.  Recognition  by  Russia  of  the  right  of  Japan  to 
send  troops  to  Corea  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  the 
preceding  Article  or  for  the  purpose  of  suppressing 
insurrection  or  disorder  calculated  to  create  inter- 
national complications. 

5.  Engagement  on  the  part  of  Japan  not  to  under- 
take on  the  coasts  of  Corea  any  military  works  capable 


29 


of  menacino-  the  freedom  of  navigation  in  the  Straits 
of  Corea. 

6.  ^Intnal  engaoenient  to  establish  a  nentral  zone 
on  the  Corea-AIanchnrian  frontier  extending  50 
kilometres  on  each  side,  into  which  nentral  zone 
neither  of  the  Contracting  Parties  shall  introdnce 
troops  without  the  consent  of  the  other. 

7.  Recognition  by  Japan  that  Manchuria  is  outside 
her  sphere  of  special  interest,  and  recognition  by 
Russia  that  Corea  is  outside  her  sphere  of  special 
interest. 

8.  Recognition  by  Japan  of  Russia's  special  inter- 
ests in  r^Ianchnria  and  of  the  right  of  Russia  to  take 
such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  protection 
of  those  interests. 

9.  Engagement  on  the  part  of  Japan  not  to  inter- 
fere with  the  commercial  and  residential  rights  and 
immunities  belonging  to  Russia  in  virtue  of  her 
treaty  engagements  with  Corea,  and  engagement  on 
the  part  of  Russia  not  to  interfere  with  the  commer- 
cial and  residential  rights  and  immunities  belonging 
to  Japan  in  virtue  of  her  treaty  engagements  with 
China. 

10.  Mutual  engagement  not  to  impede  the  connec- 
tion of  the  Corean  railway  and  the  Kast-China  railway 
when  those  railways  shall  ha\c  been  eventually  ex- 
tended to  the  Yalu. 

11.  This  Agreement  to  supplant  all  previous  Agree- 
ments between  Japan  and  Russia  respecting  Corea. 


3" 


No.  23. 

Baron  Koiiiura  to  Mr.  l\uri>io. 

Tokio,  Xovember  ist,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

BARON  Rosen  called  on  nie  October  31st  and  stated 
that  the  definite  proposals  which  I  presented  to  him  as 
amendments  to  the  Russian  proposals  as  reported  in  my 
telegram  of  the  30th  October  were  beyond  his  instructions, 
and  that  he  would,  November  ist,  telegraph  the  full  text 
of  the  said  proposals  to  his  Government  and  ask  for  further 
instructions.  Accordingly  you  are  instructed  to  see  as  soon 
as  possible  the  Acting  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  in  the 
absence  of  Count  LamsdorfT,  and  say  to  him  that  in  pre- 
paring the  proposals  in  question,  the  Japanese  Government 
did  not  fail  to  take  into  full  consideration  the  wishes  of  the 
Russian  Government.  You  will  inform  him  that  in  pro- 
posing a  joint  engagement  to  respect  the  independence  and 
territorial  integrity  of  China  equally  with  Corea,  the  Japan- 
ese Government  were  merely  asking  a  reafifirmation  of  dec- 
larations already  spontaneously  made  by  Russia,  and  when 
it  is  considered  that  Russia  is  prepared  to  make  such  an 
engagement  respecting  Corea,  the  reason  for  excluding 
China  is  not  understood.  The  Japanese  (Tovernment  are 
prepared  to  admit  that  the  Manchurian  question,  so  far  as 
it  does  not  affect  their  rights  and  interests,  is  purely  a 
Russo-Chinese  question  ;  but  Japan  has  extensive  and  im- 
portant rights  and  interest,'^?  in   that  region,  and  the  jaj)an- 


—  3^ 


ese  (Tovernnient  think  that  in  declaring;  that  ^[anchnria  is 
outside  their  sphere  of  special  interest,  they  are  at  least 
entitled  to  ask  for  a  correlative  engae^ement  on  the  part  of 
Russia  not  to  interfere  with  the  commercial  and  residential 
rights  and  immunities  belonging  to  Japan  in  virtue  of  her 
treaty  engagements  with  China.  You  will  in  addition 
point  out  that  the  invitation  of  the  Japanese  Government, 
which  originated  the  present  negotiations,  had  in  view  a 
definition  of  the  special  interest  of  Japan  and  Russia  in 
those  regions  of  the  F'ar  East  where  the  interests  of  the  two 
Powers  meet.  The  Japanese  Government  could  not  have 
anticipated  that  the  Russian  Government,  in  accepting  that 
in\itation,  would  wish — as  might  be  inferred  from  Article 
\'II  of  their  Counter-Proposals, — to  restrict  the  proposed 
definition  exclusively  to  the  region  in  which  Japan  pos- 
sesses special  interests. 


No.  24. 

J//'.  Kurino  to  Ihiroii  Ko7)utra. 

Petersburg,  November  3rd,  1903. 
Received,  "  ''         " 

(Telegram.) 

I  saw  the  Acting  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  on  the  2nd 
November.  He  said,  as  his  personal  opinion,  that  Japan 
is  making  the  .same  demands  only  in  different  form  and 
that  those  demands  arc  loo  great.      I  asked  in  what  respects 


—  32  — 

tlic  Jai)ancse  (Government  are  considered  to  l)e  demandinj^ 
too  niuch,'and  I  added  that  we  do  not  ask  anything  more 
than  the  recognition  of  existing  treaty  rights  and  immnni- 
tics  of  Japan  in  Alancliuria.  He  tlien  stated  that  l>aron 
Rosen  liad  said  notliing  on  the  snbject.  Tlie  only  diffi- 
culty, he  said,  is  the  connection  of  the  Corean  and  Man- 
chnrian  railways.  To  my  question  whether  there  are  no 
other  difficulties,  he  answered  that  the  railway  question  is 
the  only  difficulty,  although  it  had  been  accepted  ad  refrr- 
endnui ;  and  in  conclusion  I  asked  him  to  use  his  best  in- 
fluence for  the  satisfactory  solution  of  the  question,  as  the 
Japanese  Government  are  fulh-  animated  by  the  spirit  of 
conciliation,  and  I  urged  him  to  advise  Count  Lamsdorff 
in  the  same  sense,  and  if  possible  to  approach  the  Emperor 
of  Russia  on  the  question.  He  said  that  he  is  willing  to 
do  so,  and  added  that  Count  I^amsdorff  will  return  at  the 
end  of  this  week. 


No.  25. 
Mr.  Kiirino  to  Baron  Konnira. 

Petersburg,  November  13th,  1903. 

Received,  "  "  " 

(Telegram.) 

I  saw  Count  Lamsdorff  November  12th,  and  asked 
whether  he  had  received  a  copy  of  the  telegram  which  I 
had  handed  to  Prince  Obolensky  and  whether  any  action 


33 


liad  been  taken  in  the  matter.  He  answered  that  he  liad 
snbniitted  the  telegrani  to  the  Emperor,  and  that  before 
his  departure  from  Darmstadt,  he  sent  under  an  Imperial 
order  instructions  to  Baron  Rosen  to  continue  necrotiations 
witli  the  Japanese  Government.  I  asked  him  whether  it 
is  on  the  basis  of  our  last  proposal  that  Baron  Rosen  was  in- 
structed to  go  on  negotiating.  Count  Lamsdorff  said  that 
Baron  Rosen  had  been  ordered  by  the  Emperor  to  examine 
our  last  proposal  with  Admiral  Alexieff  and  to  make  modi- 
fication if  necessary,  and  added  that  at  this  moment  Baron 
Rosen  and  Admiral  Alexieff  must  be  engaged  in  the  prep- 
aration of  Counter-Proposals.  I  remarked  to  Count  Lams- 
dorf^  that  according  to  the  view  of  Prince  Obolensky,  the 
connection  of  Corean  and  Manchurian  railways  is  the  ques- 
tion that  divides  the  two  Governments  ;  but  the  Japanese 
Government  having  subsequently  modified  the  article  re- 
lating to  the  question,  I  cannot  believe  that  it  is  the  prin- 
cipal point  on  which  an  agreement  can  not  be  established. 
Count  Lamsdorff  replied  that  he  thinks  for  his  part  that  it 
is  the  Manchurian  question  which  divides  the  two  parties, 
as  he  had  said  from  the  very  beginning  the  Russian  Gov- 
ernment consider  always  that  this  question  is  a  question 
exclusively  betw'een  Russia  and  China,  and  it  must  be  re- 
served to  his  Government  to  take  all  proper  measures  to 
safeguard  their  very  considerable  interests  in  Manchuria 
by  means  of  an  arrangement  wath  China.  I  explained  to 
him  that  Japan  is  ever  ready  to  recognize  the  special  and 
considerable  interests  w'hich  Russia  has  in  Manchuria,  and 
that  she  has  no  intention    whatever  of  trespassing  upon 


—  34  — 

liiem,  iMit  that  Japan  has  a  perfect  rij>-ht  to  demand  that 
the  independence  and  territorial  inteority  of  Cliina  shall 
be  respected  and  the  rights  and  the  interests  of  Japan  in 
that  region  shall  be  formally  guaranteed.  Count  Lams- 
dorff  answered  that  the  objection  relates  to  the  form  rather 
than  the  substance  of  the  proposal.  In  Manchuria  other 
Powers  also  have  rights  and  interests,  and  Russia  cannot 
enter  into  special  arrangement  with  each  of  those  Powers 
regarding  Manchuria.  I  observed  that  should  the  Russian 
Government  be  in  accord  with  Japan  in  principle,  it  is 
deeply  to  be  regretted  that  an  understanding  cannot  be 
reached,  merely  because  of  failure  to  find  a  suitable  for- 
mula by  which  to  bring  the  two  Governments  to  an 
arrangement,  and  that  I  could  not  but  ardently  ask  him 
to  use  his  influence  to  bring  about  a  satisfactory  solution 
according  to  the  principles  already  admitted  by  Russia. 


No.  26. 

Baron  Koniiira  lo  Mr.  l\iiri>io. 

Tokio,  Noxember  21st.  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

HARON  Rosen  informed  me  November  2()th,  that  he 
received  a  telegram  November  14th  from  Admiral  Alexieff 
to  the  effect  that  Admiral  Alexieflf  had  already  forwarded 
the  Counter-Proposals  to  St.  Petersburg.  Baron  Rosen 
added  that  he  had  not  yet  received  any  instructions  on  the 


—  35-- 

subject  of  the  Counter-Proposals.  Consequently  you  are 
instructed  to  see  Count  Lamsdorff  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
after  explaining  to  him  Baron  Rosen's  statements  as  above, 
you  will  say  that  the  Japanese  Government  are  anxious  to 
proceed  with  the  negotiations  with  all  possible  expedition  ; 
and  yon  will  urge  him  to  exert  his  influence  to  secure  the 
early  dispatch  of  instructions  to  Baron  Rosen  in  order  that 
the  negotiations  may  be  resumed  and  concluded  without 
delav. 


No.  27. 

Mr.  Kurino  to  Baron  Komiira. 

Petersburg,  November  22nd,  1903, 
Received,  "  23rd,      " 

(Telegram.) 

I  saw  Count  Lamsdorff  on  the  22nd  November.  He  said 
that  the  modifications  are  already  in  the  hands  of  the  P^m- 
peror  ;  but  on  account  of  the  illness  of  the  Empress,  the 
former  does  not  attend  to  any  business  affairs  ;  hence  the 
delay.  I  asked  him  to  use  his  best  endeavours  to  obtain 
the  earliest  possible  Imperial  order  on  the  question.  He 
said  in  reply  that  it  will  be  better  for  me  to  write  him  a 
note  giving  the  purport  of  instructions  I  have  received 
from  you  ;  then  he  will  immediately  send  it  to  the  P^ni- 
peror.  At  the  end  of  the  conversation  I  asked  whether  it 
is    not  possible  for  me  to  get  some  information  about  the 


36 


modifications  proposed  by  Admiral  AlexiclT.  He  seemed 
rather  puzzled  to  give  a  direct  answer;  bnl  he  said  that 
the  Russian  Government  are  ready  to  enter  into  immediate 
agreement  with  Japan  regarding  Corea,  even  making  large 
concessions,  but  as  to  Manchuria,  Russia  once  took  posses- 
sion of  the  country  by  right  of  conquest  ;  nevertheless,  she 
is  willing  to  restore  it  to  China,  but  with  certain  guaran- 
tees assuring  security  to  the  enormous  interests  which 
Russia  has  in  Manchuria.  While  China  is  still  insisting 
upon  her  refusal  to  give  such  guarantees,  it  is  not  possible 
for  Russia  to  come  to  any  arrangement  with  a  third 
Power  respecting  Manchuria,  as  the  question  is  exclusively 
between  the  two  countries  concerned.  Then  I  said  that  if 
I  accurately  judge  the  nature  of  our  proposition,  it  is  not 
the  intention  of  the  Japanese  Government  to  interfere  with 
direct  negotiations  between  the  two  Governments  con- 
cerned, as  may  be  seen  from  the  first  part  of  Article  VII 
of  our  last  proposition  ;  but  we  only  wish  the  independ- 
ence and  integrity  of  China,  as  repeatedly  declared  on  the 
part  of  Russia,  and  security  for  our  important  interests  in 
that  province.  This  is  not  for  the  purpose  of  interfering 
with  the  affairs  of  the  two  Powers  concerned,  but  only  to 
prevent  misunderstanding  between  Russia  and  Japan 
regarding  the  province  where  both  powers  have  some 
interest ;  and  I  added  that  if  in  principle  such  an  entente 
could  in  some  form  or  other  be  arrived  at  perhaps  even 
negotiations  between  Russia  and  China  might  be  more 
easily  carried  out.  He  thereupon  repeated  his  request  for 
me   to   write  him   a  note  as  above  mentioned,  and   that  I 


2>1 


should  add  my  own  opinion  in  it,  and  that  he  would 
immediately  send  it  to  the  Emperor.  He  told  me  that  he 
expects  to  have  audience  on  the  25th  November  at  Sker- 
nevice  and  that  the  note  could  be  sent  to  him  towards  this 
evening.  I  judge  from  the  tone  of  Count  Lamsdorff's 
conversation  that  the  modifications  proposed  by  Admiral 
Alexieff  will  not  be  favourable  to  our  proposition  regarding 
China  and  Manchuria. 


No.  28. 

Baron  Komura  to  Mr.  Kiiritio. 

Tokio,  November  28th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

VOU  report  in  your  telegram  of  November  22nd  that 
Count  Lamsdorff  expected  to  have  audience  of  the  Emperor 
on  the  25th  instant.  Accordingly  you  are  instructed  to 
see  Count  Lamsdorff  as  soon  as  possible  and  ask  him  what 
action  has  been  taken  regarding  further  instructions  to 
Baron  Rosen. 

No.  29. 
Mr.  Kuriiw  to  Baron  Komura. 

Petersburg,  November  27th,  1903. 

Received,  "  28th,     " 

(Telegram.) 

COUNT  Lamsdorff  told  me  he  did  not  see  the  Emperor 

November  25th,  on  account  of  the  sickness  of  the  Empress. 


-  3«  - 

.Interior  inflaimnation  of  lier  ri^ht  car  has  necessitated  an 
operation.  He  said  that  lie  immediately  despatched  to  the 
Kmperor  my  note  mentioned  in  m\-  tele<^ram  of  Novem- 
ber 22nd. 


No.  3(j. 

Barnji  Koiinira  lo  Mr.  Kurino. 

Tokio,  December  ist,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

THE  Japanese  Government  have  from  the  first  attached 
the  highest  importance  to  a  speedy  solution  of  the  questions 
which  form  at  this  time  the  subject  of  negotiations  between 
Japan  and  Russia.  It  seemed  to  them  that  in  a  matter  of 
.such  vital  moment  as  that  which  engages  the  attention 
of  the  Cabinets  of  Tokio  and  St.  Petersburg,  a  quick  con- 
clusion was  only  second  in  importance  to  a  satisfactory 
conclusion.  Consistently  with  that  view  the  Japanese 
Government  have  at  all  times  during  the  progress  of  the 
negotiations  made  it  a  special  point  to  give  prompt  answers 
to  all  propositions  of  the  Russian  Government.  The 
negotiations  have  now  been  pending  for  no  less  than  four 
months,  and  they  have  not  yet  reached  a  stage  where  the 
final  issue  can  with  certainty  be  predicted.  In  these 
circumstances  the  Japanese  (Tovernment  cannot  but  regard 
with  grave  concern  the  situation  for  which  the  delays  in 
negotiations  are  largely  responsible.  You  are  instructed 
to  see  Count  Lamsdorff  as  soon  as  possible  and   place   the 


—  39  — 

foregoing  considerations  before  him  in  such  form  and 
manner  as  to  make  your  representations  as  impressive  as 
possible.  Yon  will  add  that  the  Japanese  Government 
believe  they  are  rendering  service  to  the  general  interest  in 
thus  frankh-  explaining  to  the  Russian  (rovernment  the 
actual  state  of  things. 


No.  31. 

Mr.  Kiiriiio  to  Baron  Kouiura. 

Petersburg,  December  2nd,  1903. 
Received,  "  3rd,       <"' 

(Telegram.) 

I  heard  that  the  Russian  (yovernment  are  still  repeatedl\- 
communicatino-  with  Admiral  Alexieff. 


No.  32. 
Mr.  Kiirino  to  Baron  Koniura. 

Petersburg,  December  4th.  1903. 

Received,  "  "         " 

(Telegram.) 

COUN'f  Lamsdorff  received  me  on  the  night  of  Decem- 
ber 3rd.  I  handed  him  a  French  translation  of  your 
telegram  of  December  ist  together  with  a  letter  which  I 
addressed  to  him   expressing  fully  the   pressing  situation 


—  40  — 

under  which  the  Japanese  (io\'crnnient  are  now  laboring;. 
He  said  that  the  (inestion  recjuires  consideration  still,  and 
he  is  in  conmuinication  with  Admiral  Alexieff ;  but  the 
Emperor  is  to  return  I)ecenil)er  5th,  and  he  said  that  he 
will  full\-  explain  the  uroenc>'  of  the  matter  on  the  occasion 
of  his  audience  on  the  following-  Tuesda\-.  He  thinks  he 
will  then  be  able  to  send  instructions  to  Baron  Rosen. 
To  my  question  whether  it  is  not  possible  for  him  to  have 
audience  at  an  earlier  date,  he  .said  that  Saturday  is  the 
fete  of  Crown  Prince,  no  business  is  transacted  on  Sunday, 
and  he  will  be  occupied  with  other  afifairs  on  Monday. 
He  promised  to  let  me  know  the  result  of  his  audience 
next  Wednesday. 


No.  ^s. 

Mr.  Kuritifl  to  Baron  Ko))iiira. 

Petersburg,  December  9th,  1903. 
Received,  ''         loth,      " 

(Telegram.) 

COUNT  Lamsdorff  told  me  December  cjth  that  an 
Imperial  order  had  been  sent  yesterday  to  Admiral  Alexieff 
and  Raron  Rosen  to  continue  the  negotiations  in  accord- 
ance with  the  Counter-Proposals  of  Admiral  Alexiefl,  but 
that  the  Japanese  propositions  have  been  fully  considered. 
I  asked  whether  he  could  inform  me  of  the  nature  of  the 
propositions  on    which  Baron   Rosen   is  authorized   to  con- 


-41  — 

tinue  the  negotiations.  He  sa^id  that  the\'  will  be  officially 
communicated  within  two  or  three  days  through  Baron 
Rosen  to  the  Japanese  Government. 


No.  34. 

Baron  Koniura  to  Mr.  Kurino. 

Tokio,  December  12th,  1903. 
(Telegram.) 

BARON  Rosen  called  on  me  December  nth  and,  under 
instructions  of  his  Government,  officially  presented  to  me 
the  following  Counter-Proposals  of  the  Russian  (yovern- 
nient  in  reply  to  our  definitive  amendments  as  stated  in  my 
telegram  of  October  30th  : — 

1.  Mutual  engagement  to  respect  the  independence 
and  territorial  integrity  of  the  Corean  Empire. 

2.  Recognition  by  Russia  of  Japan's  preponderating 
interests  in  Corea  and  of  the  right  of  Japan  to  assist 
Corea  with  advice  tending  to  improve  the  civil 
administration. 

3.  Engagement  on  the  part  of  Russia  not  to  oppose 
the  development  of  the  industrial  and  commercial 
activities  of  Japan  in  Corea,  nor  the  adoption  of  meas- 
ures for  the  protection  of  those  interests. 

4.  Recognition  by  Russia  of  the  right  of  Japan  to 
send  troops  to  Corea  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  the 
preceding  article,  or   for   the  purpose  of  suppressing 


—  42  — 

insuneclions  or    disorders    capable  of  creating;    iiiler- 
nalional  complications. 

5.  Mutual  engagcuienl  not  to  make  use  of  any  part 
of  the  C'orean  territory  for  strategical  purposes,  and  not 
to  undertake  on  the  Corean  coast  any  militar\  works 
capable  of  menacing  the  freedom  of  navigation  in  the 
Straits  of  Corea. 

6.  Mutual  engagement  to  consider  the  territory  of 
Corea  to  the  north  of  the  39th  parallel  as  a  neutral  zone, 
within  the  limits  of  which  neither  of  the  Contracting 
Parties  shall  introduce  troops. 

7.  Mutual  engagement  not  to  impede  the  connection 
of  the  Corean  and  East  China  Railways,  when  those 
railways  shall  have  been  extended  to  the  Yalu. 

8.  Abrogation  of  all  previous  agreements  between 
Russia  and  Japan  respecting  Corea. 


No.  35. 

Baron  Konnira  to  Mr.  Kuritio. 

Tokio,  December  21st,  1903. 
(Telegram. ) 

IN  an  interview  with  the  Russian  IMinister,  December 
2ist,  I  pointed  out  the  fundamental  difference  in  territorial 
compass  between  Japan\s  original  propo.sals  and  Russia's 
new  Counter-Proposals,  and  after  fully  explaining  the 
reasons  which  induced  the  Japanese  Government  to  believe 


—  43  — 

it  to  he  desirable  in  the  general  interest  to  include  in  the 
proposed  understanding  all  regions  in  the  Extreme  Hast 
where  the  interests  of  the  two  Empires  meet,  I  expressed 
the  hope  that  the  Russian  CiO\'ernnient  would  reconsider 
their  position  regarding  that  branch  of  the  question.  I 
also  informed  him  fully  respecting  the  amendments  which 
Japanese  Government  consider  it  necessary  to  introduce 
into  Russia's  new  Counter-Proposals.  Accordingly,  in 
order  to  remove  every  possibility  of  misunderstanding  on 
the  part  of  Russia  respecting  the  attitude  of  the  Japanese 
Oovernment,  you  are  instructed  to  deliver  to  Count 
Lamsdorff  a  Note  \^erbale  to  the  following  effect : — 

"The  Imperial  Government  have  examined  with 
great  care  and  attention  the  new  Russian  Counter- 
Proposals  of  the  I  ith  instant.  They  regret  to  find  that 
the  Imperial  Russian  (Tovernment  did  not  see  their 
way  in  those  proposals  to  give  to  the  compass  of  the 
suggested  understanding  the  same  territorial  extension 
as  was  deemed  essential  by  Japan.  The  Imperial 
Government,  in  their  original  invitation  to  the 
Imperial  Russian  Government  in  August  last,  en- 
deavoured to  make  it  entirely  clear  that  they  desired, 
with  a  view  to  remove  from  their  relations  with  the 
Imperial  Russian  Government  every  cause  for  future 
misunderstanding,  to  bring  within  the  purview  of  the 
proposed  arrangement  all  those  regions  in  the  Extreme 
East  where  the  interests  of  the  two  Empires  meet,  and 
they  cannot  Ijring  themselves  to  the  conviction  that  a 
full  realization  of  that  desire  can  be  expected  if  a  large 


—  44  — 

and  important  portion  of  those  regions  is  wholly 
excluded  from  consideration.  Accordingly,  tlie  Imper- 
ial (rovernment  feel  constrained  to  ask  the  Imperial 
Russian  (io\-ernment  to  reconsider  their  position  on 
•the  subject,  and  they  hope  that  the  Russian  (lOvern- 
ment  will  be  able  to  see  their  way  to  arrive  at  a  satis- 
factor\-  solution  of  the  question.  The  Imperial 
Government  also  find  it  necessary  to  ask  for  the 
following-  amendments  to  the  new  Russian  Counter- 
Proposals  : — 

"  <7.  Article  II  to  read  :  'Recognition  b\- Russia 
of  Japan's  preponderating  interests  in  Corea  and  of 
the  right  of  Japan  to  give  Corea  advice  and  assist- 
ance tending  to  improve  the  administration  of  the 
Corean  Empire.' 

"  b.  Article  V  to  read  :  '  Mutual  engagement  not 
to  undertake  on  the  Corean  coast  any  military 
works  capable  of  menacing  the  freedom  of  naviga- 
tion in  the  Straits  of  Corea  ; '  and 

"  c.   Article  YI  to  be  suppressed. 
"As  the  principal  part  of  these  amendments  cannot 
be   said   to   be   in   excess  of  the  modifications  which 
were  agreed  to  ad  referetidiini  at  Tokio,  and  as  the 
Imperial   Government   consider  those    changes  indi.s- 
pensable,  it  is  hoped  that  the)'  will  receive  the  ready 
agreement  of  the  Imperial  Russian  Government." 
In   presenting  the  foregoing  note  to  Count  Lamsdorff, 
you    will    say  that    I    have    spoken   to    Baron    Ro.>en    in   a 
similar  sense,  and    }ou   will  also  express  the  desire  for  an 
early  response. 


45 


No.  36. 
Mr.  Kiirino  to  Baron  Komura. 

Petersburg,  December  23rd,  1903. 

Received,  "  24th,      " 

(Telegram.) 

UPON   receipt  of  your  telegraphic  iustructious,  I  saw 

Count   Lamsdorff   December   23rd  at  2  p.  m.     He  told  me 

he   had   received   a   telegram   from   Baron   Rosen,  stating 

that  the   latter  had  had  an  interview  with  you,  and  that 

particulars  would    follow,  but   such    particulars    had    not 

been  received  yet  by  him.     When  I  handed  him  the  Note 

Verbale,    he  said   that   he   would   study  it   together   with 

report  from    Baron   Rosen,  and   that  he  would  do  his  best 

to  send  the   Russian   answer  at  the  earliest  possible  date  ; 

but   he   added    that  he  would  have  to  communicate  with 

Admiral   Alexieff.      In   conclusion,  I  stated    to    him    that 

under  the  present  circumstances  it   might    cause    serious 

difficulties,  even  complications,  if  we  failed  to  come  to  an 

entente.,  and  I  hoped   he  would  exercise  his  best  influence 

so  as  to  enable  us  to  reach  the  desired  end. 


No.  y^. 
Mr.  Kuritio  to  Baro>i  Komura. 

Petersburg,  January  ist,  1904. 

Received,  "         2nd,      " 

(Telegram.) 

I  saw  Count  Lamsdorff  January  ist,  and  asked  whether 

any  action  had  been  taken  regarding  our  last  propositions. 


•  4^^  — 

He  said  they  had  been  fully  considered  ;  and  he  asked  me 
to  assure  you  that  Baron  Rosen  will  soon  be  instructed  to 
proceed  with  the  negotiations  in  a  friendly  and  concilia- 
tory spirit,  and  he  added  that  he  saw  no  reason  why  we 
could  not  arrixe  at  an  oitoite. 


No.  38. 

Baron  Koniura  to  Mr.  Kiirmo. 

Tokio,  January  7th,  1904. 
(Telegram.) 

BARON  Rosen  handed  to  me  January  6th  the  follow^ing 
reply  of  the  Russian  Government  to  our  last  propositions 
of  December  21st  last : — 

"  Having  no  objection  to  the  amendments  to  Article  II 
of  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  as  proposed  by  the  Im- 
perial Japanese  Government,  the  Imperial  Government 
considers  it  necessary  : 

"  I.  To  maintain  the  original  wording  of  Article  \' 
which  had  already  been  agreed  to  by  the  Imperial 
Japanese  Government,  that  is  to  say,  'mutual  engage- 
ment not  to  use  any  part  of  the  territor)-  of  Corea  for 
strategical  purposes,  nor  to  undertake  on  the  coasts 
of  Corea  an\-  military  w'orks  capable  of  menacing  the 
freedom  of  navigation  in  the  Straits  of  Corea.' 

"  2.  To  maintain  Article  \\  concerning  a  neutral 
/one   (this   for  the   very  purpose  which  the   Imperial 


—  47  — 

Japanese  Governinent  has  likewise  in  \-ie\v,  that  is  to 
say,  to   eliminate   everything-   that  might  lead  to  mis- 
nnderstandings  in  the  futnre  ;  a  similar  zone,  for  ex- 
ample,    exists    between     the     Russian     and     British 
possessions  in  central  Asia). 
''  In   case   the  above  conditions  are  agreed  to,   the   Im- 
perial  Government   would   be   prepared  to  include  in  the 
projected  agreement  an  Article  of  the  following  tenor  : 

" '  Recognition  by  Japan  of  Manchuria  and  her 
littoral  as  being  outside  her  sphere  of  interests,  whilst 
Russia,  within  the  limits  of  that  province,  will  not 
impede  Japan,  nor  other  Powers  in  the  enjoyment  of 
rights  and  privileges  acquired  by  them  under  existing 
treaties  with  China,  exclusive  of  the  establishment  of 
settlements." 


No.  39. 

naroii  I\o))nira  to  Mr.  Kitriiio. 

Tokio,  Januar\-  13th,  1904. 
(Telegram.) 

YOU  are  instructed  to  deliver  to  Count  LamsdorfT  a 
Note  Verbale  to  the  following  effect  which,  you  will  say, 
is  intended  to  confirm  to  him  the  views  of  the  Imperial 
(rovernment  communicated  l)y  mc  to  Baron  Rosen  on  the 
13th  January  : — 

The  Imperial  Government,  in  order  to  arrive  at  a  pacific 
solution  of   the  pending  questions,  and   to  firmly  establish 


-48- 

the  basis  of  good  relation  between  Japan  and  Russia,  and 
in  addition  with  a  view  to  protect  the  ri<(hts  and  interests 
of  Japan,  have  given  most  careful  and  serious  considera- 
tion to  the  reply  of  the  Imperial  Russian  (iovernment 
which  was  delivered  by  His  Excellency  Baron  Rosen 
on  the  6th  instant.  They  have  finally  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  following  modifications  are  necessary, 
i.  e.  : — 

1.  Suppression  of  the  first  clause  of  Article  V  of 
the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  (presented  to  the 
Japanese  Government  through  Baron  Rosen  Decem- 
ber nth)  that  is  to  say,  "not  to  use  any  part  of  Co- 
rean  territory  for  strategical  purposes." 

2.  Suppression  of  the  whole  Article  (VI)  concern- 
ing establishment  of  a  neutral  zone. 

3.  The  Russian  proposal  concerning  Manchuria  to 
be  agreed  to  with  the  following  modifications : — 

a.  Recognition  by  Japan  of  Manchuria  and  its 
littoral  as  being  outside  her  sphere  of  interest  and 
an  engagement  on  the  part  of  Russia  to  respect  the 
territorial  integrity  of  China  in  Manchuria. 

b.  Russia  within  the  limits  of  Manchuria  will 
not  impede  Japan  nor  other  Powers  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  rights  and  privileges  acquired  b)-  them 
under  the  existing  treaties  with  China. 

c.  Recognition  by  Russia  of  Corea  and  its  littoral 
as  being  outside  her  sphere  of  interest ; 

4.  Addition  of  an  Article  to  the  following  effect  : — 
Recognition   by  Japan  of  Russia's  special  interests 


49 


in    Manchuria   and   of   the    right    of    Russia    to  take 
measures   necessary  for   the    protection    of    those    in- 
terests. 
The  grounds   for   these   amendments   having   been   fre- 
quently and   fully   explained    on   previous   occasions,   the 
Imperial  Government  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  repeat 
the   explanations.      It   is   sufficient   here   to   express   their 
earnest  hope  for  reconsideration   by  the   Imperial    Russian 
Government. 

It  should  be  further  remaiked  that  the  suppression  of 
the  clause  excluding  the  establishment  of  settlements  in 
]\Ianchuria  is  desired  because  it  conflicts  with  stipulations 
of  the  new  Commercial  Treaty  between  Japan  and  China. 
In  this  respect,  however,  Japan  will  be  satisfied  if  she  re- 
ceives equal  treatment  with  another  Power  which  has 
already  acquired  similar  rights  in  regard  to  settlements  in 
Manchuria.  The  statement  in  the  Russian  reply  that  the 
Japanese  Government  have  agreed  to  the  original  wording 
of  Article  V  of  the  Russian  Counter-Proposals  is  erroneous, 
no  such  agreement  ever  having  been  expres.sed  by  the 
Imperial  Government. 

The  above-mentioned  amendments  being  proposed  b>' 
the  Imperial  Government  entirely  in  a  spirit  of  concilia- 
tion, it  is  expected  that  they  will  be  received  with  the 
same  spirit  at  the  hands  of  the  Imperial  Russian  Govern- 
ment ;  and  the  Imperial  Government  further  hope  for  an 
early  reply  from  the  Imperial  Russian  Government,  since 
further  delay  in  the  solution  of  the  question  will  be  ex- 
tremelv  disadvantag-eous  to  the  two  countries. 


—  50  - 

No.  40. 

Baron  Konnoa  to  Mr.  I\uri>io. 

Tokio,  January  23rd,  1904. 
(Telegram.) 

YOU  are  instructed  to  sound  Count  Lamsdorff  respect- 
ing the  probable  nature  of  Russia's  reply  to  our  last  note 
and  when  .the  reply  will  be  delivered. 


No.  41. 
Mr.  Kurino  to  Baron  Komura. 

Petersburg,  January  25th,  1904. 

Received,  "  "         " 

(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  telegram  of  23rd  instant,  I  saw 
Count  Lamsdorff  January  24th  and  asked  his  views  in 
regard  to  our  last  proposals  and  also  how  soon  the  Russian 
answer  could  be  given.  He  was  not  inclined  to  enter  into 
details,  but  said  that  there  are  certain  points  to  which  he 
could  not  agree.  He  expects  to  lay  his  views  before  the 
Emperor  next  Tuesday,  January  26th,  and  he  hopes  to  be 
able  to  send  an  answer  before  long. 

M.  de  Hartwig,  whom  I  saw  this  afternoon,  told  me  that 
the  Department  of  Foreign  Affairs  is  yet  in  communica- 
tion with  Admiral  Alexieff,  and  lie  cannot  say  how  soon 
an  answer  can  be  sent  to  Japan. 


No.  42. 

Barou  Komura  to  Mr.  Kiiriiio. 

Tokio,  January   26th,  1904. 
(Telegram.) 

AS  the  situation  admits  of  no  indefinite  delay  in  the 
settlement  of  the  questions  involved,  you  will  seek  an  inter- 
view with  Count  Lamsdorff  at  the  earliest  opportunity  and 
state  to  him  as  an  instruction  from  your  Government  that  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Imperial  Government  a  further  prolong- 
ation of  the  present  state  of  things  being  calculated  to 
accentuate  the  gravity  of  the  situation,  it  is  their  earnest 
hope  that  they  will  be  honoured  with  an  early  reply,  and 
that  they  wish  to  know  at  what  time  they  may  expect  to 
receive  the  reply. 


No.  43. 
Mr.  Kurino  to  Baro?i  Komura. 

Petersburg,  January  26th,  1904. 

Received,  "  27th,      " 

(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  telegram  of  the  26th  instant,  the 
Russian  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  said  that  the  Ministers 
of  War,  Marine  and  other  authorities  concerned  are  to 
meet  on  the  28th  January  for  the  consideration  of  the 
question,  and  that  their   decision  will    be  submitted  to  the 


.S2 


iMiipei'or  for  sanction,  and  lie  remarked  that  it  had  been 
the  intention  of  Admiral  Alexieff  to  come  here  ;  but  that 
that  idea  was  now  abandoned,  and  his  opinion  will  soon 
be  received  by  telegraph.  Under  these  circumstances,  lie 
sa\s,  he  is  unable  to  give  the  exact  date  when  the  reply 
will  be  given  ;  but  he  can  say  it  will  not  be  much  delayed. 
He  said  that  he  had  received  reports  from  official  sources 
to  the  effect  that  Japan  had  sent  a  considerable  number 
of  troops,  munitions  and  war  materials  to  Corea,  and  asked 
me  whether  I  could  give  any  explanation  regarding  it.  I 
simply  answered  that  I  knew  nothing  of  such  facts,  and 
regretted  not  being  able  to  give  him  any  explanation.  He 
added  that  such  action  on  the  part  of  Japan  causes  a  very 
bad  impression,  while  the  two  Governments  are  engaged 
seriously  in  such  important  negotiations.  Telegraph  me 
for  my  information  whether  the  reports  are  true,  and  if  so, 
the  details. 


No.  44. 

Baron  Komura  to  Mr.  Ktirino. 

Tokio,  January  28th,  IQ04. 
(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  telegram  of  26th  instant,  you  will 
see  Count  Lamsdorff  at  an  early  opportunity  and  say 
to  him  that  you  have  been  authorized  to  deny  positively 
the  statement  that  Japan  has  sent  to  Corea  a  considerable 


—  53  — 

luiinber  of  troops,  iminitions  and  war  materials.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  no  troops  have  recently  been  sent  to  Corea 
nor  any  ammunitions  have  been  sent  beyond  the  amount 
required  for  the  ordinary  use  of  the  Japanese  troops  sta- 
tioned in  Corea.  You  will  then  ask  him  whether  the 
report  that  Russian  troops  are  being  concentrated  on  the 
Coreau  frontier  is  true,  and  if  so,  that  such  military  move- 
ment is  to  be  highly  deprecated.  Finally,  you  will  ask 
him  whether  he  is  not  able  to  acquaint  you,  for  your  own 
information,  with  the  nature  of  the  decision  taken  at  the 
proposed  conference  of  the  Ministers  on  the  28th  January, 
and  whether  he  can  indicate  the  approximate  date  on 
which  the  Russian  reply  is  to  be  given. 


No.  45. 
J//'.  Kiiriiio  to  Baron  KoDiura. 

Petersburg,  January  28th,  1904. 

Received,  "  29th,      " 

(Telegram.) 

COUNT  Lamsdorff  is  satisfied  with  the  explanation 
contained  in  your  telegram  of  to-day.  As  to  the  question 
regarding  the  concentration  of  Russian  troops  near  the 
Yalu,  he  does  not  believe  it  to  be  true,  and  ht  remarked 
that  such  newspaper  reports  are  very  regrettable.  I  tried 
to  obtain  information  about  the  decision  of  to-day's  meet- 
ing.     He   said    that    it  is  not   possible   for  him  to  sa\-  an\- 


—  54  — 

thino  conccininQ-  it  as  it  will  not  l^e  sent  to  the  Emperor, 
and  that  nntil  the  respective  Ministers  have  been  received 
by  the  Kniperor  respectinj^^  the  question,  nothing  can  be 
said  definitely.  He  stated  that  the  (rrand  Duke  Alexis 
and  the  Minister  of  Marine  are  to  be  received  in  audience 
next  Monday,  and  the  Minister  of  War  and  himself 
on  Tuesda)-  ;  and  he  thinks  an  answer  will  be  sent  to 
Admiral  Alexieff  on  the  latter  day.  I  pointed  out  the 
urgent  necessity  to  accelerate  the  despatch  of  an  answer 
as  much  as  possible,  because  further  prolongation  of  the 
present  condition  is  not  only  undesirable  but  rather  dan- 
gerous. I  added  that  all  the  while  the  world  is  loud 
with  rumours  and  that  I  hoped  he  would  take  special 
steps  so  as  to  have  an  answer  sent  at  an  earlier  date  than 
mentioned.  He  replied  that  he  knows  the  existing  con- 
dition of  things  very  well,  but  that  the  dates  of  audience 
being  fixed  as  above  mentioned,  it  is  not  now  possible  to 
change  them  ;  and  he  repeated  that  he  will  do  his  best  to 
send  the  reply  next  Tuesday. 


No.  46. 

Baron  Komura  io  Mr.  Kuriuo. 

Tokio,  January  30th,  1904. 
(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  telegram  of  January  28th,  you  are 
instructed  to  see  Count  Lamsdorff  at  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity and  state  to  him  substantially  in  the  following 
sense  : — 


—  55  — 

"  Having  reported  to  your  Government  that  the  Russian 
Government  would  probably  give  a  reply  on  next  Tuesday 
you  have  been  instructed  to  say  to  Count  Lamsdorff  that 
being  fully  convinced  of  the  serious  disadvantage  to  the 
two  Powers  concerned  of  the  further  prolongation  of  the 
present  situation,  the  Imperial  Government  hoped  that  they 
might  be  able  to  receive  the  reply  of  the  Russian  Ciovern- 
ment  earlier  than  the  date  mentioned  by  Count  Lamsdorff. 
As  it,  however,  appears  that  the  receipt  of  the  reply  at  an 
earlier  date  is  not  possible,  the  Imperial  Government  wish 
to  know  whether  they  will  be  honoured  with  the  reply  at 
the  date  mentioned  by  Count  Lamsdorff,  namely,  next 
Tuesday,  or  if  it  is  not  possible,  what  will  be  the  exact 
date  on  which  the  reply  is  to  be  given." 

If  Count  Lamsdorff  specifies  the  day  on  which  the  reply 
is  to  be  given,  you  will  see  him  on  that  day  and  ask  him 
to  acquaint  you  with  the  exact  nature  of  the  reply. 


No.  47. 
Mr.  Kurino  to  Baron  Koniura. 

Petersburg,  February  ist,  1904. 

Received,  "         '•        '' 

(Telegram.) 

REGARDING  your  telegram  of  the  30th  January,  I 
saw  Count  Lamsdorff  in  the  evening  January  31st.  He 
says  he   appreciates  fully  the  gravity  of  the  present  situa- 


-  56  - 

tion,  and  is  certainly  desirous  to  send  an  answer  as  quickly 
as  possible;  but  the  question  is  a  very  serious  one  and  is 
not  to  be  lightly  dealt  with.  In  addition,  the  opinions  of 
the  Ministers  concerned  and  Admiral  Alexieff  had  to  be 
brought  into  harmony  ;  hence  the  natural  delay.  As  to 
the  date  of  sending  an  answer,  he  says,  it  is  not  possible 
for  him  to  give  the  exact  date  as  it  entirely  depends  upon 
the  decision  of  the  Emperor,  though  he  will  not  fail  to  use 
his  efforts  to  hurrv  the  matter. 


No.  48. 

Bnro)}  Konmra  to  Mj-.  Kiirino. 

Tokio,  February  5th,  1904.     2.15  v.  m. 
(Telegram. ) 

FURTHER  prolongation  of  the  present  situation  being 
inadmissible,  the  Imperial  Government  have  decided  to 
terminate  the  pending  negotiations  and  to  take  such  inde- 
pendent action  as  they  may  deem  necessary  to  defend  their 
menaced  position  and  to  protect  their  rights  and  interests. 
Accordingly  you  are  instructed  to  address  to  Count  Lams- 
dorff,  immediately  upon  receipt  of  this  telegram,  a  signed 
note  to  the  following  effect  : — 

"  The  undersigned.  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Min- 
ister Plenipotentiary  of  His  Majesty  the  Emperor  of 
Japan,  has  the  honour,  in  pursuance  of  instructions 
from  his   (lOvernment,  to  address  to   His  Excellenc\- 


the  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  of  His  Alajesty  the 
Emperor  of  all  the  Russias  the  following  communi- 
cations : — 

"The  (rovernment  of  His  Majest\'  the  Kmperor  of 
Japan  regard  the  independence  and  territorial  integrity 
of  the  Empire  of  Corea  as  essential  to  their  own 
repose  and  safety,  and  they  are  consequently  unable 
to  view  with  indifference  any  action  tending  to  ren- 
der the  position  of  Corea  insecure. 

"The  successive  rejections  by  the  Imperial  Russian 
Government  by  means  of  inadmissible  amendments 
of  Japan's  proposals  respecting  Corea,  the  adoption  of 
which  the  Imperial  Government  regarded  as  indis- 
pensable to  assure  the  independence  and  territorial 
integrity  of  the  Corean  Empire  and  to  safeguard 
Japan's  preponderating  interests  in  the  Peninsula, 
coupled  with  the  successive  refusals  of  the  Imperial 
Russian  Government  to  enter  into  engagements  to 
respect  China's  territorial  integrity  in  Manchuria 
which  is  seriously  menaced  by  their  continued  occu- 
pation of  the  province,  notwithstanding  their  treaty 
engagements  with  China  and  their  repeated  assurances 
to  other  powers  possessing  interests  in  those  regions, 
have  made  it  necessary  for  tlie  Imperial  Government 
seriously  to  consider  what  measures  of  self-defence  they 
are  called  upon  to  take. 

"  In  the  presence  of  delays  which  remain  largely 
unexplained  and  naval  and  military  activities  which 
it   is  difficult   to  reconcile  with  entirely  pacific  aims, 


58 


the  Imperial  (jovernment  have  exercised  in  the  de- 
pending negotiations  a  degree  of  forbearance  which 
the>'  believe  affords  abundant  proof  of  their  loyal 
desire  to  remove  from  their  relations  with  the  Im- 
perial Russian  Government  every  cause  for  future 
misunderstanding.  But  finding  in  their  efforts  no 
prospect  of  securing  from  the  Imperial  Russian  Gov- 
ernment an  adhesion  either  to  Japan's  moderate  and 
unselfish  proposals  or  to  any  other  proposals  likely  to 
establish  a  firm  and  enduring  peace  in  the  Extreme 
East,  the  Imperial  Government  have  no  other  alter- 
native than  to  terminate  the  present  futile  negotia- 
tions. 

"  In  adopting  that  course  the  Imperial  (jOvernment 
reserve  to  themselves  the  right  to  take  such  inde- 
pendent action  as  they  may  deem  best  to  consolidate 
and  defend  their  menaced  position,  as  well  as  to  pro- 
tect  their  established  rights  and  legitimate  interests. 

"  The  Undersigned,  etc.,  etc." 


No.  49. 

Banni  Komura  to  Mr.  Ktirino. 

Tokio,  February  5th,  1904.      2.15  v.  m. 
(Telegram.) 

YOU   are   instructed  to  address  to   Count  Lamsdorff  a 

signed  note  to  the  following  effect  simultaneously  with  the 

note  mentioned  in  my  previous  telegram  : — 


—  59  — 

"  The  Undersigned,  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Min- 
ister Plenipotentiary  of  His  Majesty  the  Emperor  of 
Japan,  has  the  honour,  in  pursuance  of  instructions 
from  his  Government,  to  acquaint  His  Excellency  the 
Minister  for  P'oreign  Affairs  of  His  Majesty  the  Em- 
peror of  all  the  Russias  that  the  Imperial  Government 
of  Japan,  having  exhausted  without  effect  every  means 
of  conciliation  with  a  view  to  the  removal  from  their 
relations  with  the  Imperial  Russian  Government  of 
every  cause  |or  future  complications,  and  finding  that 
their  just  representations  and  moderate  and  unselfish 
proposals  in  the  interest  of  a  firm  and  lasting  peace  in 
the  Extreme  East  are  not  receiving  the  consideration 
which  is  their  due,  have  resolved  to  sever  their  diplo- 
matic relations  with  the  Imperial  Russian  Government 
which  for  the  reason  named  have  ceased  to  possess 
any  value. 

"  In  further  fulfilment  of  the  command  of  his  Gov- 
ernment, the  Undersigned  has  also  the  honour  to 
announce  to  His  Excellency  Count  Lamsdorff  that  it 
is  his  intention  to  take  his  departure  from  vSt.  Peters- 
burg with  the  staff  of  the  Imperial  Legation  on 

date. 

"  The  Undersigned,  etc.,  etc." 


—  6o  — 

No.  50. 

Afr.  Kiiriiio  to  Baron  Koniiira. 

Petersburo;,  February  5th,  1904.     5.   5  a.  m. 
Received,  "  "         "         5.15  p.  m. 

(Telegram.) 

IN  compliance  with  the  request  of  Count  Lamsdorff,  I 
went  to  see  him  at  8  p.  m.  February  4th.  He  told  me  that 
the  substance  of  the  Russian  answer  had  been  just  sent  to 
Admiral  Alexieff  to  be  transmitted  to  Baron  Rosen.  He 
added  that  Admiral  Alexieff  may  happen  to  introduce  some 
changes  so  as  to  meet  local  circumstances  ;  but  in  all  proba- 
bility there  will  be  no  such  changes.  He  then  stated  as 
his  own  opinion  that  Russia  desires  the  principle  of  inde- 
pendence and  integrity  of  Corea  and  also,  of  necessity,  the 
free  passage  of  the  Corean  vStraits.  Though  Russia  is 
willing  to  make  every  possible  concession,  she  does  not 
desire  to  see  Corea  utilized  for  strategic  purposes  against 
Russia,  and  believes  it  useful  for  the  consolidation  of  good 
relations  with  Japan  to  establish  by  common  accord  a 
l)uffer  region  between  confines  of  direct  influence  and 
action  of  the  two  countries  in  the  Far  Kast.  The  above  is 
expressed  entirely  as  his  personal  opinion,  and  I  cannot 
say  whether  the  same  is  the  substance  of  the  above- 
mentioned  answer,  though  it  seems  to  be  very  ])robable. 


6i 


No.  51. 
Mr.  k'lin'no  to  Baron  Komura. 

Petersburg,  February   6th,  1904.      5.57  p.  m. 

Received  "  7th,      "  5.45  A.  m. 

(Telegram.) 

IN  reference  to  your  two  telegrams  of  yesterday's  date, 
I  presented  to  Count  Lamsdorff  to-day  at  4  p.  m.  the  notes 
as  instructed.  I  shall  withdraw  from  here  with  my  staff 
and  students  on  the  loth  instant. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

DOCUMENTS    DEPT. 

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JAN      9  1S59 

1 

m     5 1963 

Jvvl        11 

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U  DAYS  ^^T^  !trCE::^ 

73-Aa. 

im  3  0  |973 

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